The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive, Richard Gould, has stated that the board will not support a proposed Saudi Arabia-backed global Twenty20 league, citing a packed international calendar and concerns over player workloads.
According to a report from the Sydney Morning Herald, the proposed league would be supported by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and feature eight teams competing across four locations. However, Gould emphasized that there is no space or demand for such an event given the already crowded cricketing schedule.
The ECB remains committed to protecting its own 100-ball league, The Hundred, which recently secured $1.27 billion through franchise stake sales to private investors.
While the ECB opposes the Saudi league, the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) has expressed support for exploring the proposal. The ACA sees the initiative as an opportunity to advance collective bargaining and promote gender-equity pay models for both male and female players.
With established T20 leagues like the Indian Premier League, Pakistan Super League, and leagues in Australia, South Africa, the West Indies, and the UAE, the proposed Saudi league would face stiff competition in the global cricketing landscape.
